Crossmolina 2026 didn’t disappoint!
Another fabulous festival of angling took place last weekend at the Annual DTAA versus Loughs Conn and Cullin Anglers. Going on now for more than 50 years this is the highlight for many of the angling calendar.
There were some great fish caught despite the fact that the lake seems to be about 3-4 weeks late this year, in terms of water levels and general weather conditions. This weekend we had a break from the rain (aside from a couple of showers and some thunder claps on Saturday), with a very soft Northerly wind on Saturday picking up strength on Sunday. There were trickles of fly life on both days but no major hatches. In Cloghan’s there were adult buzzers, some Olives and more Mayflies, but only the odd feeding fish to be seen, with more appearing to come to artificial flies rather than the real thing. The Cuckoo’s call could be heard around the lake contributing to atmosphere.
To remind you, Saturday is fished as a team event (Dublin V Mayo). It was not the Dubs’ year this year, however, with Mayo scoring 5,480 to DTAA’s 3,560 points (which is based on the length of fish over 28cm caught and released by each angler). Mayo took the top spot with Michael Ruttledge boating a cracking fish estimated at 3+ lbs at Rinmore point when he had just switched over to wets. Michael caught a second fish too and his boat partner Donal Rafferty had a nice fish too. Second place went to Noel Shiels and third to Martin McGorian (who picked up his 2nd fish at Tolan’s very late in the day). Willie Scully was in 4th, with Tom Hipwell taking 5th place.
Sunday is when the Pratt Cup takes place. This individual competition counts fish over 33cm and the winner this year was Michael Monahan with fish (Castlehill Bay, to dry flies). Second was Joe Ferguson, third was Cathal McDonnell, fourth was Jim Keeshan, fifth was Noel Shiles, sixth was Tom Timoney, seventh was Chris Meadows and a special prize was given to Niall O Hearcain who has a fantastic trout in Tolan’s (to a golden olive bumble) around the middle of the day, which he duly released (see photo below). Michael Monaghan’s acceptance speech acknowledged the work of Padraig, Orla and DTAA folks in the organisation of this weekend and his remarks included an appreciation for some of the new friends he has made through this event and his hopes that long may it continue.
Niall’s lovely fish from Tolan’s
The Ronnie Miley Trophy is awarded to the best Dublin angler across both days. This year it was presented to Noel Shiels by DTAA President Fran Nugent.
It cannot be overstated how much we look forward to this weekend. We are very grateful for the help from the DTAA Committee and of course Orla Walsh and Padraig for their organisational prowess and to the Mayo men who boated us over the two days and gave us every chance one could expect to land a fish!
We are looking forward to next year already.
Here are some pictures of smiling and optimistic anglers setting out on day 1, capturing the joy of this weekend and the chance to spend time fishing with friends.
